A Mother’s Longing

A Mother’s Longing

“…in your faith you are standing firm.”
2 Corinthians 1:24

It is not surprising that 3 John 4 is so often quoted by Christian parents in their deep desire for their children, “I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth” (NASB). This is the deep longing of my heart as a mother. I want my children to truly know Christ, to walk in His ways, to love His Word, and to be committed to His church. I desire to be able to say to them, “in your faith you are standing firm” (2 Corinthians. 1:24). Am I being a faithful steward of my role as a Christian mother? Are my actions reflecting this deep desire to see my dearly loved children walking in the truth? 

As we head into this new year, it is wise to both look back and look forward. The new year offers us many possibilities to grow and change and also to continue to persevere in the things that God, by His grace, has enabled us to carry out faithfully. If one of my deepest longings is to see my children walking in the truth then that should drive my behavior and my choices. I want to think carefully about my actions, words, and prayers to see if these align with my desire to be used by God to point my children to Him. 

In regards to my actions: 
  1. Do I have a regular time in my schedule that I am teaching my children about the Lord? As my children age, how does this change? What can I do with my adult children to keep pouring into them spiritually, both those who live near and those who have moved away (2 Tim. 3:16)?
  2. Am I living faithfully before them, demonstrating holiness and trust in the Lord (2 Cor. 1:12)? 
  3. Is there something that I want to put off or put on this coming year that would honor the Lord in my role as a mother (Col. 3:10, 12, 14)? 
In regards to their actions: 
  1. Am I admonishing and encouraging them appropriately; correcting that which dishonors the Lord and recognizing those things that honor Him? Am I seeking the Lord’s wisdom and guidance about what to say or not say to my adult children, knowing that while I’m still they’re mother, they are not under my authority in the same way as they were when they lived in my house (1 Thess. 5:14)?
  2. Am I giving them God’s truth and wisdom when I give them advice (James 3:17)? 
  3. Am I correcting their behavior with gentleness and firmness? Do I try and be attentive to the heart that is motivating my child’s choices, or do I just deal with the behavior (Gal. 6:1)?
In regards to my words:
  1. Am I building them up or tearing them down with both my words and my tone? Do I consistently set a good example of not slandering or gossiping? If I struggle in this area, what practical steps can I take to submit my speech to the Lord (2 Cor. 13:10)? 
  2. Am I speaking words of life to them regularly, incorporating God’s words as often as I can? How will I take in the Scriptures in order to have it dwelling richly in me and flowing from me (Col. 3:16)?
  3. Am I making time to have conversations with them, really listening and trying to discern their heart (Prov. 20:5)?
In regards to my prayers:
  1. Am I praying consistently and fervently for their salvation and their walk with Him (Col. 4:2)?
  2. Am I praying for God’s will for their lives? 
None of the ways that I answer these questions will actually save my children. But God can, and He uses mothers, their influence, and their prayers to bring about His will. Perhaps, for some, prayer is the only thing left, but it is truly the most powerful. My children and their salvation and sanctification is not dependent on me, but on Christ. The joy I long for is that each one of my children will humble themselves regularly before the Lord and seek Him and His kingdom. I know what is at stake: their eternal souls and the peace and contentment they will experience in this life are permanently altered when Christ is ruling in their hearts. I want this greatest of joys, to hear that my children are walking in the truth. Oh, Lord, grant that it may be so.
Photo credit to benjaminmanley

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